If you’re thinking about making your first gun store visit, you may be wondering what you need to know. There’s a certain amount of gun shop etiquette that’s helpful to understand before you dive in. Read on to have all your gun shop FAQs answered.
Gun shop research
Don’t just wander into the place that happens to be nearest to your house. Do your homework first. Check out a few Yelp reviews or ask a trusted friend for a recommendation. This way you’ll find a place that will fit your needs and has employees that are polite and safe. You want to make sure to choose the right gun store, and remember: you don’t have to buy a gun! You may want to shop around first.
It’s not the time to joke
Think about entering a gun shop like you would going through a TSA line—it’s not the time to make jokes about doing something dangerous or illegal. Gun store employees will not take kindly to this. You may be asked to leave, or the police may have to get involved. Gun shops are also legally required to not sell weapons to those they believe might commit illegal acts.
Keep your gun locked up
If you’re bringing a gun into a shop, you’ll want to make sure to keep it in a locked case. Whether this is legally required in your state or not, it’s a smart move to keep everyone safe.
Ask questions and listen
Gun shop employees are there to help you learn about firearms and firearm safety. Be honest with them about your previous experience with guns and what you’re looking for. They’ll be able to walk you through step by step on how to legally obtain, use and store a firearm. You may want to come prepared with a list of questions and take notes on what employees tell you. If this is your first firearm, you want to be sure to treat the process with respect.
Safety basics
There are a few things you’ll want to practice if you’re unfamiliar with the use of guns. The first is to treat every gun like it’s loaded. In other words, never aim at another person or casually handle a gun. It’s always best to keep your finger off the trigger and to point the muzzle in a safe direction. Some gun stores have a target for potential buyers to aim at while looking at new guns, but be sure to ask an employee about the proper procedure.
Are you getting ready to make your first gun store visit? Stop by and check out everything Harrison Street Pawn has to offer. We’re the premier gun store in the area, and we’ve been proudly serving local residents since 1985. As a full-service gun and pawn shop, we carry a vast line of new and used guns and offer a full array of other special and unique collectibles. Give us a call or come by our shop today to learn more about what we can offer you!